AmMeaning “Kind” or “Gentle.”
AngMeaning “To burn” or “Radiant.”
AnnanMeaning “Joyful.”
AnnMeaning “To favor” or “Blessing.”
ApsaraNamed after celestial dancers of Khmer mythology.
ArunMeaning “Morning sun.”
AtithMeaning “Sunny day.”
AunMeaning “Graceful” or “Soft.”
BanMeaning “To find” or “Achieve.”
BaoMeaning “Precious” or “Treasure.”
BophaMeaning “Flower.”
BoranMeaning “Ancient” or “Traditional.”
BunMeaning “Virtuous” or “Moral merit.”
BunthengMeaning “High merit.”
ButhMeaning “Flower bud.”
ChaiMeaning “Victory” or “Success.”
ChakMeaning “Wheel” or “Circle.”
ChanMeaning “Moon” or “Sandalwood.”
ChannMeaning “Monday” or “Moon.”
ChanthaMeaning “Moonlight.”
ChanthouMeaning “Moon flower.”
ChaoMeaning “Noble” or “Lord.”
ChayMeaning “Elegant.”
CheaMeaning “Healthy” or “Well.”
ChengMeaning “Clear” or “Prosperous.”
ChethMeaning “Heart” or “Mind.”
ChhayMeaning “Beautiful” or “Attractive.”
ChhetMeaning “Brave” or “Strong.”
ChhimMeaning “Victory.”
ChhoeunMeaning “Progressive.”
ChhornMeaning “Glory.”
ChhoukMeaning “Lotus flower.”
ChhunMeaning “Fast” or “Quick.”
ChimMeaning “Golden bird.”
ChinMeaning “True” or “Real.”
ChouMeaning “Support” or “Hold up.”
ChumMeaning “Surrounded” or “Gathered.”
DalisMeaning “Daughter” or “Flower.”
DaraMeaning “Star.”
DemMeaning “Source” or “Origin.”
DenMeaning “Trace” or “Mark.”
DuongMeaning “Sun” or “Greatness.”
EkMeaning “First” or “Unique.”
EmMeaning “Sweet.”
HakMeaning “Just” or “True.”
HanMeaning “Brave” or “Courageous.”
HengMeaning “Lucky” or “Successful.”
HinMeaning “Rock” or “Stone.”
HoMeaning “River” or “Stream.”
HongMeaning “Swan” or “Majestic bird.”
HorMeaning “Prosperous.”
HuotMeaning “Elegant.”
InMeaning “King” or “Powerful.”
IthMeaning “Power.”
KagnaMeaning “Virgin” or “Pure.”
KalyanMeaning “Beautiful” or “Charming.”
KanMeaning “To hold” or “Protect.”
KaoMeaning “High” or “Tall.”
KeoMeaning “Glass” or “Jewel.”
KethMeaning “Banner” or “Flag.”
KhimA type of musical instrument.
KhinMeaning “To protect.”
KhmerReferring to ethnic identity.
KhovMeaning “Reliable.”
KhunMeaning “Virtuous” or “Benevolent.”
KimMeaning “Gold.”
KongMeaning “To last” or “Circle.”
KosallMeaning “Magical” or “Skilled.”
KoyMeaning “Tail” (often youngest child).
KunMeaning “Merit” or “Kindness.”
LayMeaning “To mix” or “Together.”
LekMeaning “Special” or “Number one.”
LeangMeaning “Clean” or “Pure.”
LimMeaning “To shine.”
LinMeaning “Pure.”
LoMeaning “To float” or “Drift.”
LongMeaning “Great” or “Grand.”
LorkMeaning “Lord.”
LounMeaning “Round.”
LyMeaning “Reason” or “Logic.”
MaMeaning “Mother” or “Great.”
MakMeaning “Cloud.”
MaoMeaning “Dark” or “Cloudy.”
MeasMeaning “Gold.”
MekMeaning “Sky.”
MenMeaning “Truth” or “Solid.”
MengMeaning “Smart” or “Bright.”
MethMeaning “Friend.”
MonyMeaning “Gem” or “Jewel.”
NannMeaning “Steady.”
NaoMeaning “Firm.”
NarithMeaning “Male” or “Manly.”
NathMeaning “Protector.”
NetMeaning “Eye” or “Vision.”
NgetMeaning “Pure.”
NgovMeaning “Quiet.”
NhiekMeaning “Distinguished.”
NopMeaning “Nine” (lucky number).
NuonMeaning “Soft” or “Gentle.”
OukMeaning “To lead.”
OunMeaning “Younger.”
PannMeaning “To form” or “Build.”
PeovMeaning “The youngest.”
PhalFruit or Prosperity.
PhanMeaning “Thousand.”
PhannaMeaning “Knowledge.”
PhatMeaning “Success.”
PheakFace or Appearance.
PhengMeaning “Whole” or “Complete.”
PhoeunMeaning “Friend.”
PhonMeaning “Abundant.”
PhuongMeaning “Phoenix” or “Flower.”
PichMeaning “Diamond.”
PovMeaning “The last child.”
PromBrahma or The creator.
PumMeaning “Pattern.”
RanMeaning “Shield.”
RanyMeaning “Sunlight.”
RasmeyMeaning “Ray of light.”
RathGem or Treasure.
RavyMeaning “Sun.”
RimMeaning “Edge.”
RithMeaning “Power” or “Strength.”
RithyMeaning “Powerful.”
RoatMeaning “Nation.”
RosMeaning “To live.”
SaMeaning “White” or “Pure.”
SamboMeaning “Abundant.”
SamProper or Quiet.
SamangLucky or Blessed.
SamnangMeaning “Luck.”
SamrethMeaning “Success.”
SanMeaning “Peaceful.”
SannMeaning “Quiet.”
SarithMeaning “Manly.”
SarunMeaning “Saved.”
SavathMeaning “Safe.”
SayTo speak or Fame.
SengMeaning “Lion.”
SereyFreedom or Liberty.
SethWho speaks truth.
SievBook or Knowledge.
SinMeaning “Purity.”
SivMeaning “Auspicious.”
SoPure or White.
SokPeace or Happiness (Common).
SokhaMeaning “Happiness.”
SomTo request or Grace.
SonMeaning “Golden.”
SopheaMeaning “Wisdom.”
SopheakBeautiful face.
SophonMeaning “Beauty.”
SornMeaning “Arrow.”
SothMeaning “Pure.”
SotheaMeaning “Compassion.”
SoyDusk or Evening.
SuonMeaning “Garden.”
SurnMeaning “Gold.”
SyMeaning “Glory.”
TanMeaning “Firm.”
TengMeaning “Bright.”
ThaiMeaning “Free.”
ThanhMeaning “Success.”
ThavroMeaning “Constant.”
TheamMeaning “Ready.”
ThearaMeaning “Leader.”
ThengMeaning “Great.”
ThinMeaning “Stable.”
ThonMeaning “Wealthy.”
ThouMeaning “Fragrant.”
ThulMeaning “Mountain.”
ThyMeaning “Leader.”
TinMeaning “Reliable.”
TitMeaning “Highest.”
TochSmall or Little.
TyMeaning “Status.”
UchMeaning “To shine.”
UdomMeaning “Supreme.”
UngMeaning “Stable.”
VandyStrongly desired.
VannGolden or Class.
VannaMeaning “Golden.”
VatMeaning “Temple.”
VibolMeaning “Abundant.”
VichethMeaning “Artistic.”
VictorMeaning “Winner.”
VireakMeaning “Hero.”
VisalMeaning “Vast” or “Great.”
VitouMeaning “Scholar.”
VongLineage or Family.
YemMeaning “Shining.”
YenMeaning “Peaceful.”
When selecting a Cambodian surname, it is crucial to remember that family names are often used for identification in formal settings, while given names are used in social circles.
In a 2026 setting, many Cambodian-Americans or members of the Khmer diaspora may follow the Western format (Given Name + Surname), but using the traditional Surname first for a character based in Cambodia adds a layer of cultural authenticity. Names like Sok and Chea are incredibly common, while names like Prom or Apsara suggest a more mythological lineage.
Why do some Cambodian names sound Chinese or Vietnamese?
Due to centuries of trade and migration, many Khmer names share roots with neighbors. For example, Tan, Lim, and Seng often have Hokkien Chinese roots, while Duong may overlap with Vietnamese.
What is the most common surname in Cambodia?
Sok (Peace/Happiness) is widely considered the most common, signifying a desire for a peaceful and prosperous family life.
Are Cambodian surnames hereditary?
Yes, in modern times, they are passed down from the father. Historically, Cambodians did not use surnames; the system was formalized during the French Protectorate era.
